by Gill, Tamara
His large hands and strong fingers slid up her legs, massaging her muscles as he glided ever closer to her sex. Her body ached, her senses alive and needy.
She realized with no small amount of shock that she wanted to see his mouth on her, watch him make her reach pleasure as they had the other night.
His hands grasped the backs of her knees, and he pulled her toward the edge of the settee. His heavy-lidded eyes fixed on her core, and he licked his lips. Victoria let out a huff of breath, having not expected to like his reaction to her so much.
"You're so beautiful, Victoria. I ache to taste you."
Her eyes spied the book, open on the page of the sexual act they were about to perform, and she shivered.
He kissed her leg with slow, torturous strokes, and Victoria moaned with need. She was so open to him, a shiver of vulnerability stole through her, hoping that he approved of what he saw, would not shy away from her after they did what they were about to do.
Although she did not want to marry, she did enjoy Albert's company, liked him very much. She wanted to help him, but something told her that nothing would ever be the same again after they did what they were to do.
Would she be able to walk away from him, stand by and watch him marry another? Know that he would make love to another lady night after night, and that lady would not be her?
He kissed along her leg, his warm breath marking her skin. His fingers flexed on her thighs, pushing her wider. He marveled at her a moment before dipping his head. She gasped, biting her lip as his lips touched her, and then his tongue flicked out, caressing her most private flesh.
Victoria leaned back, closing her eyes, reveling in his touch. He kissed her, flicked her aching, throbbing nubbin with his tongue before suckling and sending her wits to flee. His mouth devoured her, taking his fill. His muffled moans of enjoyment met her ears, and he kissed her cunny with abandon.
It was too much. Too wonderful. How had she never known with her husband that such acts were possible. For all of Paul’s rakish wiles, he knew very little at all. Or did not want to do these things with her.
She pushed the unhelpful, hurtful thoughts aside, lifting herself toward his mouth. Ignoring the wantonness of her action. He scooped her legs over his shoulders, taking her with a need that surpassed any she’d ever known.
Victoria reached down and ran her fingers into his hair, holding him to her, grinding herself on his face like a woman out of her mind. And perhaps she was a little out of her mind with need.
Pleasure teased her senses. She was hot, clammy, and wanted to shatter to a million pieces. Albert flicked his tongue across a sensitive place, and finally, she tumbled over the edge. Stars burst behind her eyes, and she undulated against him, not caring how she looked, how much she moaned, his name a chant of pleasure.
He kept her against him as the last tremors of her release echoed through her body before ending how he began, kissing along her legs, watching her through heavy-lidded eyes that burned with his own need.
Victoria could not move. Every muscle felt lax and as heavy as a case of gold. Albert reached over, taking a rug from the settee, and laid it over her legs as he came to sit beside her, picking up the book that lay on the floor.
"What did you think, Victoria? Should I not disappoint my future wife?"
Victoria shook herself free of the muddling pleasure that cloaked her to what Albert was saying. Disappoint his wife? The idea made ice run through her veins. She sat up, taking the book and flipping the pages, anything but to dissect why it was his words upset her so much.
"I think your wife will be most pleased, and today, when we return to the house, we shall sit down and play cards, learn how to interact together in that setting. It is not only in the art of lovemaking that you require tutelage. You also need to feel confident and sure when hosting and courting during the season. We cannot lose ourselves in this way when there is still so much to learn.”
"Instead of cards, what do you think if we partook in an archery contest? Or lawn games. There is a chance next season that I will host a house party here at Rosedale, and I know ladies like to take part in that pastime."
"We can do that too. We have a few days to fill before the country dance, but tonight I think cards would be best."
"Whatever you think," he said.
Victoria shuffled out of the chair and dressed quickly. She could not look at him, achingly aware that he watched her every movement. Just as she, too, was aware of him and his presence. The memory of her climax an occasion she doubted she'd ever forget.
Albert was taking up too much time in her mind, but she could not help herself. Whenever she saw him, she wanted to be near him, even if only to converse and spend time. If that conversation and time led to pleasurable interludes, then all the better.
It was out of character and unhelpful to her plans.
She wrenched on her boots, tying them quickly before looking about for her riding jacket. She stilled, swallowing the need that coursed through her blood when she spotted Albert holding it aloft with one finger, a small smile playing about his lips.
He was a devil, and he knew it. He was also becoming quite the rogue. Well, what she assumed a rogue was like. Men of that ilk seduced ladies in hunting lodges during daylight hours.
Which reminded her, if she did not return to the house soon, she would be missed at breakfast, and her mama would be concerned or suspicious.
Victoria stepped over to him, taking the jacket, and slipped it on. "Thank you. I shall see you back at Rosedale."
"Is that all?" he queried, his brows raised.
Nerves fluttered in her stomach. "What else do you want?"
He growled, wrenching her close. He took her lips, and all thoughts of getting out of there, away from him, vanished. Victoria kissed him back, tasting the tart taste of herself on his lips. It was not displeasing. If anything, it made her long for more of what they had started with each other.
He broke the kiss, his eyes dark and stormy with need. "I want everything, Victoria."
Victoria chuckled, but her insides seized with panic. What did everything mean? Did he want a future, to marry her, for her to have his children, and a life together? She wanted none of those things, not after her disastrous first marriage. The idea of being anyone’s property, to be treated with no respect revolted her sensibilities. She shook her head, an impossibility she could never do again.
But a life with Albert would be different. You are different around him.
Victoria stepped out of his hold, striding to the door, and the freedom the outdoors beckoned. "I want lots of things too, but I do not always gain them. I shall see you back at the house," she called over her shoulder, shutting the door on his handsome, if not disappointed, face.
Their little tutoring game was getting out of hand. Emotions were becoming involved and awful and alarming as it was, Victoria was not sure that it was all Lord Melvin who was feeling them.
Chapter 23
Albert strode back into the foyer of Rosedale and directly into the path of the Duke of Penworth. Penworth greeted him warmly before they started for the parlor upstairs.
"I saw Victoria earlier at breakfast,” His Grace stated. “She mentioned you were hosting a card night this evening. Would you mind if I invited some local friends, gentry that I know in this area, and you too, I should imagine?"
Albert rang the bell for tea as they entered the room, warming himself before the fire since the day had turned cooler than expected. "You may invite whomever pleases you. Anyone in particular?"
“Lord and Lady Hammilyn are at home and are close enough to attend. They will, of course, wish to bring their daughter. I hope that it suitable."
"I give you leave to use my desk to write to them. Have a groom ride over and deliver it. I should think they will attend."
Penworth sat on a nearby chair, crossing his legs as a footman came in with tea and biscuits. "I will pour, thank you," Albert said to the servant, dismissing him.
He poured Penworth a cup before doing the same for himself before settling down on the chair opposite his friend. "I cannot help but wonder if your interest in Lord Hammilyn has anything to do with his daughter, which from what I hear is a beauty and one that many a young buck are looking forward to seeing next season in town."
Penworth shrugged, sipping his beverage. "I have never laid eyes on the chit, and I would never marry a woman so young."
"Ah, but remember, Lady Sophie is not so young. She spent several years abroad with her brother, who lives in Spain with his wife. They will return, of course, when he inherits, but until then, I believe they live in Cadiz."
Penworth frowned at this information, clearly confused. "How old is she?" he asked, unable to mask the curiosity in his words.
"I believe she is two and twenty."
"A perfect age for you, Lord Melvin. Maybe you will go into a contest with my brother and court Lady Sophie yourself."
Albert coughed, choking on his tea, having not known Victoria was listening to their conversation. She waltzed into the room. The scent of lavender soap and her usual perfume of jasmine wafted through the air. Albert fought not to take a noticeable breath, the memory of what they had done only hours before clear in his mind.
Penworth grinned but did not comment as his sister sat. "What else are you two gentlemen discussing other than the ladies you're going to court?"
"Nothing of interest, merely the card games to be played this evening. I thought to invite Lord and Lady Hammilyn and their daughter, who Melvin tells me is back from abroad. Do you know Lady Sophie, Victoria?" her brother asked.
She shook her head, leaning back on the settee, clasping a nearby pillow, and holding it on her lap. The scene was reminiscent of a domesticated family enjoying the morning together. Albert could imagine such a vision of Victoria joining him for tea, discussing future events at Rosedale with visitors such as her brother. He watched her, sipping his drink and wishing he could convince her that to be married to him would not be a chore. That he would do everything in his power to make her happy and content, even if that meant they traveled for years before starting a family. Convince her that he would never break her heart.
"I do not know her at all. Although I do believe Elizabeth may have met her some years ago."
Josh finished his tea, placing the cup on the table before them. "I shall write to them and hope that they will attend. You would like Lord Hammilyn, Victoria. He has wolfhounds like you."
She grinned at her brother, her eyes lighting up at the mention of her favorite breed of dog. "Oh, well, I shall like him very much, and I will always have a conversation subject to swing to should the worse happen, and I find dreaded silence has ensued between us."
"Just right," Penworth said, standing. "I shall be back soon. But I want to get that missive off before it grows too late."
Albert listened as the duke made his way down the hall, heading to the library downstairs.
"Is something the matter?" he asked her at her silence, hoping he had not pushed her too far out at the hunting lodge. When she had turned up at his door there, he had not expected they would progress to such acts, but now that they had, he would never regret their actions.
He wanted her as his wife. He would seduce his wife with actions similar to what he had performed on her. There was no shame in that. Not unless she refused him when he gained enough confidence to breach the taboo subject that she seemed to detest.
She shook her head, but worry clouded her emerald eyes. "Not particularly, but I do think you ought to consider Lady Sophie for your wife. Tonight if she attends, you must try to use the tools that I have given you to see if there is a connection there."
"And if your brother is interested in the lady?"
"Then you shall both try, and we shall all see who the victor is. But you do not have to marry her this evening, merely see if she is pleasant and suitable to your character. Suppose you can converse with her without getting tongue-tied and anxious all the better. I shall be there with you too. I shall not let you fail."
A cold, hard stone lodged where his heart beat. "You are determined as ever to have me married before the end of the next Season. Not every female that I meet is someone whom I want to shag for the rest of my life."
Her cheeks heated, and he was glad of it. He frowned, starting to dislike being pushed toward women he had no interest in whatsoever. He knew whom he suited, whom he adored and wanted by his side for the rest of his life, and it was the very woman telling him to marry another.
"I know that. I'm merely trying to help. You did agree to my aid."
"Of course," he acknowledged. "But can I not tell you should I find a woman who sparks my interest and then move forward with a plan? This throwing women at my head at any available turn is starting to grow weary."
"But we have only just started, and we're only using these women as practice. Do not be so prickly, Lord Melvin. I am only trying to assist you."
"And I suppose you are still determined to die old and alone, never marrying due to being broken hearted by an ass."
She gasped, and he regretted his hard words immediately. "Victoria, I—"
"Right, the letter is off to Lord Hammilyn. I should think they will attend. When I ran into him yesterday in the village, he was doing nothing but rusticating at home."
"Sounds delightful," Albert mumbled, watching Victoria, who sat glaring at him. "I shall have cook do a light supper this evening instead of a meal."
"That sounds just the thing," Penworth said, sitting back down on the chair he vacated only minutes before with not a clue his sister and friend were at odds.
"Cheer up, Victoria. Lady Sophie will be good company for you. Keep you occupied since I know you tend to grow bored."
"I'm not bored," she said defensively, throwing a quick look in Alberts's direction.
He poured himself another tea, wishing it were something stronger like whiskey or brandy. He could use a little fortification right about now. Should Victoria grew bored did not bode well for his plans and hopes. Would she find life here at Rosedale beyond her endurance? Would she never settle or always wish for adventure?
He would love to travel if he found the right woman to go with, but he could not be away constantly. His estate, his writing required him to be in England several times a year. The idea of them, of being her husband, grew ever smaller in his mind's eyes, edged a little further out of reach.
"You could have fooled me," Josh teased, grinning. "Maybe while you're trying to fix up Melvin or myself with Lady Sophie, you could think about your own future. Of who else in London would suit you now that you’re available once again."
"No one will suit me." She shot out of her chair, striding for the door, her gown swishing about her legs as her forceful steps carried her away. "I'm going to die old and alone without family. That is what I'm going to do. To hell with men and their needs for a family and bed partner. I'd rather love myself, trust in only myself before anyone else."
"Victoria, that is uncalled for," Josh said, standing, scowling at his sister, who stormed down the hall before a door slammed somewhere in the depths of the house. Her bedroom door Albert supposed.
"I do apologize, Melvin. I say I was only teasing her. I do not know what could be upsetting her so."
Albert knew what had sparked such a temper, but he could not be sorry for it. The truth sometimes hurt, and that she continuously told him no, that she did not want him for herself, no matter how much pleasure they may give each other. How well they got along. At some point, he would have to accept that truth and move forward.
"Do not concern yourself. I'm sure she will be back to rights this evening. We're all entitled to a moment or two of temper."
"I suppose," Penworth said, frowning at the door his sister had left through. "But I am interested in seeing what this rumored beauty Lady Sophie looks like. Let us hope she has a pleasant disposition as her face is said to be."
Alber
t smiled, but inside, his gut churned, hating the fact Victoria was angry and upset. That was not supposed to happen. He never wished for her to be so. "I think you shall be pleased, Penworth. Maybe it is not I who will marry first after all my schooling, but you."
Penworth chuckled, shaking his head. "She would have to be a rare gem to tempt me, but we shall see."
"That we shall," Albert agreed. "Tonight."
Chapter 24
Albert made sure to pay attention to their guests, especially Lady Sophie, whose beauty had caught him unawares. She had grown in height and beauty since he'd seen her last. Granted, she had been quite a distance from him when he had spied her.
Even so, Penworth continued to remain amusingly tongue-tied when around the woman. Which, if anything, made being near her entertaining. Not that he wanted the chit for himself. He was only talking to her more than he would normally because Victoria had asked him to.
Victoria stood beside her mother, watching his every word. He studied Victoria a moment, unable to make out if her visage was one of curiosity or displeasure.
He hoped it was the latter. That him talking to Lady Sophie, who next year would certainly be a success in London, vexed her. More the truth of the matter was that she found fault in his conversation and was working out how to correct him when they were alone.
"Are you looking forward to next season, Lady Sophie? I understand you're making your debut," Albert said, surprised by his confident tone. Mayhap Victoria's lessons were working in his favor.
"Not particularly. If you were in my shoes, Lord Melvin, would you care to be auctioned off to the highest bidder? I think not."
He bit his tongue, fighting to keep the laugh that wanted to bubble up and out of him.
Penworth wasn’t so successful in hiding his amusement at the lady's words. If Albert were a betting man he would lay blunt down that the duke's interest was piqued.
